Well, this story grinds my gears (Family Guy reference) but I'm going to post about it anyway.
The independent Can-Am League's Brockton Rox have offered their managerial position to Joe Torre in what clearly is a public relations stunt.
For those who don't know, the Can-Am League offers a lower quality of baseball than the Atlantic League and Somerset Patriots, and is home to teams such as the Atlantic City Surf, Nashua Pride and Montclair-based Jersey Jackals.
The story, which you can find at http://www.brocktonrox.com/therox/headlines/index.html?article_id=722, says that the Rox will offer Torre an annual salary in the high five figures and display the kind of trust and commitment Torre said he wanted but did not get from the Yankees brass.
Those people -- like at least one of my friends -- who think is a good move by the Rox are just plain wrong. You can argue it draws publicity to the Rox -- would I be otherwise writing about them right now? -- but I think it just draws ridicule.
We all know Torre would never consider something like this, so the Rox are just the butt of the joke to any writer who comes across this story. Is Rox merchandise or ticket sales going to increase because of this self-created story? Doubtful.
Anyway, if Torre was to manage an independent minor-league team, it certainly would be either the Patriots (owned by Torre friend and confidant Steve Kalafer) or the Atlantic League expansion Bergen Cliff Hawks, also owned by Kalafer and very close to New York City.
Enough time devoted to a ridiculous story.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
News somewhat related to the Patriots
Atlantic City Surf general manager Brendan Fairfield resigned Thursday after one year on the job. Fairfield worked as the Somerset Patriots Vice President for three years but left for a job with the Surf after the 2006 season. He quickly was promoted to general manager.
According to a team press release, Fairfield accepted a job outside the baseball profession after spending 10 years in the minors.
In other semi-related news, the Patriots annual holiday party should be an interesting event now that Joe Torre is no longer Yankees manager. He is the guest every year and usually makes at least a few wisecracks about the Yankee hierarchy. Torre probably will only give a few interviews between now and then, so -- assuming he keeps his commitment to Patriots owner and close friend Steve Kalafer -- I'm looking forward to his speech to the crowd and my 3 minutes of 1-on-1 time.
According to a team press release, Fairfield accepted a job outside the baseball profession after spending 10 years in the minors.
In other semi-related news, the Patriots annual holiday party should be an interesting event now that Joe Torre is no longer Yankees manager. He is the guest every year and usually makes at least a few wisecracks about the Yankee hierarchy. Torre probably will only give a few interviews between now and then, so -- assuming he keeps his commitment to Patriots owner and close friend Steve Kalafer -- I'm looking forward to his speech to the crowd and my 3 minutes of 1-on-1 time.
Friday, October 12, 2007
2 weeks of thoughts...
Since Somerset Patriots season ended, here are some work-related thoughts I've had:
1) I finished reading The Bronx Zoo today and as I read it, I couldn't help but hear Sparky Lyle's voice in my head saying the stuff I was reading. Almost 30 years later, Lyle still uses the same terms to describe the same situations. And so many of the things he said about the Patriots playoff chase this year -- how they needed to go 5-2 in this week or sweep this early September series -- were things he was saying during the historic 1978 Yankees comeback. I was almost embarrassed to say I had not read that book for the first two years I covered the team. It was an off-season goal of mine.
2) I'm at a high school football game right now. Highland Park at Middlesex. I don't cover much high school football, but I covered Highland Park last week and their running back, Bryant Fitzgerald, is big time. He is listed at 5-10 and 170 pounds and is probably smaller than that but the best way to describe his play is to tell you it reminds me of Reggie Bush in Madden 2008. He's running at a different speed than even if the fastest players around him. Someone should scoop him up now, as a junior.
3) When did it get so cold out? I was wearing shorts during the Atlantic League Championship Series. Tonight, jeans, a long sleeve shirt, zip-up sweatshirt and beanie.
1) I finished reading The Bronx Zoo today and as I read it, I couldn't help but hear Sparky Lyle's voice in my head saying the stuff I was reading. Almost 30 years later, Lyle still uses the same terms to describe the same situations. And so many of the things he said about the Patriots playoff chase this year -- how they needed to go 5-2 in this week or sweep this early September series -- were things he was saying during the historic 1978 Yankees comeback. I was almost embarrassed to say I had not read that book for the first two years I covered the team. It was an off-season goal of mine.
2) I'm at a high school football game right now. Highland Park at Middlesex. I don't cover much high school football, but I covered Highland Park last week and their running back, Bryant Fitzgerald, is big time. He is listed at 5-10 and 170 pounds and is probably smaller than that but the best way to describe his play is to tell you it reminds me of Reggie Bush in Madden 2008. He's running at a different speed than even if the fastest players around him. Someone should scoop him up now, as a junior.
3) When did it get so cold out? I was wearing shorts during the Atlantic League Championship Series. Tonight, jeans, a long sleeve shirt, zip-up sweatshirt and beanie.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Postseason thoughts
Last night I gave you my initial thoughts about the Atlantic League Championship Series. Here is further analysis and some random facts.
1) In the moments after the loss, more than a few Patriots could be mumbling under their breath in the clubhouse about manager Sparky Lyle. The veteran skipper travels a long distance from his South Jersey home to come to the games and likes to be the first one out the post-game clubhouse door. He again was first Monday night, leaving without addressing his team. Lyle is not the emotional goodbye type, but considering many of his players sacrificed their health by playing through injuries, a "You gave it your best" speech might have been in order. His pack-up-and-leave routine left a sour taste in the mouth of many veterans.
2) Both of Newark's titles have been helped by Piscataway High School graduates, third baseman Corey Smith (2007) and pitcher Bryan Malko (2002).
3) Outfielder Jose Herrera was not even on the Most Valuable Player radar when Game 4 began. It was between Smith -- a one-time defensive liability who played a stellar hot corner in this series -- and closer Jeremy Hill. Just goes to show what three home runs and six RBIs in the decisive game will do for you in the eyes of voting media members.
4) You can second-guess any coaching staff after a postseason loss and this is no different.
Why did Lyle and pitching coach Brett Jodie handle the pitching staff the way they did? Reliable right-handers Paul Thorp and Saul Solveson were nowhere to be found while Jason Richardson and Hector Almonte were called upon routinely after coming up short for most of the regular season. Keith Ramsey, who had a streaky regular season, did not pitch at all in the playoffs while fellow starters Brian Adams, Brandon Knight and Lincoln Mikkelsen were stretched to capacity in the playoffs.
5) The Patriots led the league in home runs during the regular season, but their foundation was built on small ball. A walk, a steal, a bunt and...voila...a run. In the four championship series games, the Patriots stole just two bases and rarely bunted. When slow-footed runners were on base, the perfect pinch runner, Patrick Boran, could have come off the bench to create some havoc.
6) The Bears are the model of how quickly an Atlantic League team can be turned around. After a miserable 2006 season, a new manager, pitching coach, and director of player procurement retained only four regulars from the prior season and built a winning nucleus of talent. Congratulations on a job well done to one of the more professionally run front offices in the league.
7) In my 2006 season preview, I called the Lancaster Barnstormers the "Team to Watch." In my 2007 season preview, I called the Newark Bears the "Team to Watch." Attention Atlantic League owners: For the right price, I can make your franchise the 2008 Team to Watch.
(I'm kidding, of course)
8) Somerset starter Lincoln Mikkelsen joined the Patriots on Sept. 4 with the sole goal of winning a title. Instead, he gave up seven runs in a no-decision in the fatal game. Mikkelsen, 40, could be the best pitcher in league history, but his teams are now 0-for-6 in the Atlantic League playoff. Feel bad for this guy.
1) In the moments after the loss, more than a few Patriots could be mumbling under their breath in the clubhouse about manager Sparky Lyle. The veteran skipper travels a long distance from his South Jersey home to come to the games and likes to be the first one out the post-game clubhouse door. He again was first Monday night, leaving without addressing his team. Lyle is not the emotional goodbye type, but considering many of his players sacrificed their health by playing through injuries, a "You gave it your best" speech might have been in order. His pack-up-and-leave routine left a sour taste in the mouth of many veterans.
2) Both of Newark's titles have been helped by Piscataway High School graduates, third baseman Corey Smith (2007) and pitcher Bryan Malko (2002).
3) Outfielder Jose Herrera was not even on the Most Valuable Player radar when Game 4 began. It was between Smith -- a one-time defensive liability who played a stellar hot corner in this series -- and closer Jeremy Hill. Just goes to show what three home runs and six RBIs in the decisive game will do for you in the eyes of voting media members.
4) You can second-guess any coaching staff after a postseason loss and this is no different.
Why did Lyle and pitching coach Brett Jodie handle the pitching staff the way they did? Reliable right-handers Paul Thorp and Saul Solveson were nowhere to be found while Jason Richardson and Hector Almonte were called upon routinely after coming up short for most of the regular season. Keith Ramsey, who had a streaky regular season, did not pitch at all in the playoffs while fellow starters Brian Adams, Brandon Knight and Lincoln Mikkelsen were stretched to capacity in the playoffs.
5) The Patriots led the league in home runs during the regular season, but their foundation was built on small ball. A walk, a steal, a bunt and...voila...a run. In the four championship series games, the Patriots stole just two bases and rarely bunted. When slow-footed runners were on base, the perfect pinch runner, Patrick Boran, could have come off the bench to create some havoc.
6) The Bears are the model of how quickly an Atlantic League team can be turned around. After a miserable 2006 season, a new manager, pitching coach, and director of player procurement retained only four regulars from the prior season and built a winning nucleus of talent. Congratulations on a job well done to one of the more professionally run front offices in the league.
7) In my 2006 season preview, I called the Lancaster Barnstormers the "Team to Watch." In my 2007 season preview, I called the Newark Bears the "Team to Watch." Attention Atlantic League owners: For the right price, I can make your franchise the 2008 Team to Watch.
(I'm kidding, of course)
8) Somerset starter Lincoln Mikkelsen joined the Patriots on Sept. 4 with the sole goal of winning a title. Instead, he gave up seven runs in a no-decision in the fatal game. Mikkelsen, 40, could be the best pitcher in league history, but his teams are now 0-for-6 in the Atlantic League playoff. Feel bad for this guy.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Patriots season ends in shocking fashion
Here are my initial postgame thoughts after the Bears scored eight eighth-inning runs to beat the Patriots 13-7 to capture the Atlantic League Championship Series in four games...With more to come tomorrow...
1) The bullpen woes that plagued the Patriots all season was their undoing at the end. The bullpen blew a lead in Game 1, and could not hold tie scores and allowed the winning runs to score late in Games 3 and 4.
2) Bears manager Wayne Krenchicki and pitching coach Steve Focault have coached together at three different stops for 10 years in the Atlantic League and suffered three playoff series defeats. This title was a long time coming for these two.
3) Like closer R.D. Spiehs the night before, give Somerset starter Lincoln Mikkelsen credit for speaking after a rough Game 4 performance. Covering the Atlantic League is not like covering the majors. I'm the only reporter in the losing locker room and it would be easy to blow me off with no cameras watching. These guys were true pros.
4) It might seem silly, but this was a historic Atlantic League game. It reminded me of the New England Patriots collapse against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2007 AFC Championship Game. Dynasties simply do not melt down like this. The Patriots had not lost a playoff series since 2000 -- when I was high school senior -- and had won their last eight games when facing playoff elimination.
5) The Bears, a team that won just 42 games all of last season, became the first time other than the Patriots to win multiple Atlantic League titles. The Patriots still lead that race with three, but the Bears broke away from the Lancaster Barnstormers, Bridgeport Bluefish and Long Island Ducks. Maybe more teams should follow their lead and completely blow up their roster after a miserable season. (See: Lancaster).
1) The bullpen woes that plagued the Patriots all season was their undoing at the end. The bullpen blew a lead in Game 1, and could not hold tie scores and allowed the winning runs to score late in Games 3 and 4.
2) Bears manager Wayne Krenchicki and pitching coach Steve Focault have coached together at three different stops for 10 years in the Atlantic League and suffered three playoff series defeats. This title was a long time coming for these two.
3) Like closer R.D. Spiehs the night before, give Somerset starter Lincoln Mikkelsen credit for speaking after a rough Game 4 performance. Covering the Atlantic League is not like covering the majors. I'm the only reporter in the losing locker room and it would be easy to blow me off with no cameras watching. These guys were true pros.
4) It might seem silly, but this was a historic Atlantic League game. It reminded me of the New England Patriots collapse against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2007 AFC Championship Game. Dynasties simply do not melt down like this. The Patriots had not lost a playoff series since 2000 -- when I was high school senior -- and had won their last eight games when facing playoff elimination.
5) The Bears, a team that won just 42 games all of last season, became the first time other than the Patriots to win multiple Atlantic League titles. The Patriots still lead that race with three, but the Bears broke away from the Lancaster Barnstormers, Bridgeport Bluefish and Long Island Ducks. Maybe more teams should follow their lead and completely blow up their roster after a miserable season. (See: Lancaster).
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Championship Series Game 3
HISTORY: The first inning of Game 3 is underway. With the series tied 1-1, it is a pivotal game, but not as much of a determining factor as you might think.
The only other time in Atlantic League history time that there was a situation like this , in 2003, the Patriots and Nashua Pride split the first two games and the Pride won Game 3. The Patriots rebounded with two road victories to capture the title.
Interestingly, six of the first nine Atlantic League Championship Series ended in three-game sweeps. This is the first since that 2003 series that there will be a Game 4.
The Patriots now have been involved in three of the four non-sweeps. The only other one extended series was the Atlantic City Surf's four-game victory over the Bridgeport Bluefish in the league's inaugural 1998 season.
The only other time in Atlantic League history time that there was a situation like this , in 2003, the Patriots and Nashua Pride split the first two games and the Pride won Game 3. The Patriots rebounded with two road victories to capture the title.
Interestingly, six of the first nine Atlantic League Championship Series ended in three-game sweeps. This is the first since that 2003 series that there will be a Game 4.
The Patriots now have been involved in three of the four non-sweeps. The only other one extended series was the Atlantic City Surf's four-game victory over the Bridgeport Bluefish in the league's inaugural 1998 season.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Postseason Awards
Here are the Atlantic League Postseason Awards as announced Friday afternoon:
(Editor's Note: I HATE ties, but it's a good way to get all the teams represented in the awards. Other than that, I have no real objections with any of the selections other than I think Newark's Javier Colina should have edged his teammate Victor Rodriguez for Player of the Year and I don't think Jesse Hoorelbeke should have gotten a share of that award.)
C - Randy McGarvey, Camden
1B - Jesse Hoorelbeke, Bridgeport
2B - Javier Colina, Newark
3B - Jay Caligiuri, Bridgeport
SS - Ramon Castro, Newark
UTIL - P.J. Rose, Long Island, and Nate Espy, York (tie)
OF - Carl Everett, Long Island
OF - Mike Lockwood, Somerset
OF - Steven Doetsch, Road Warriors
OF - Ray Navarrete, Long Island
DH - Victor Rodriguez, Newark
RHP - Gary Knotts, Newark
LHP - Brian Adams, Somerset
CLOSER - Danny Graves, Long Island, and Derrick DePriest, Lancaster (tie)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Jeff Scott, Road Warriors
PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Brian Adams, Somerset
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Victor Rodriguez and Jesse Hoorelbeke (tie)
PARK OF THE YEAR - Commerce Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - John Brandt, Newark
(Editor's Note: I HATE ties, but it's a good way to get all the teams represented in the awards. Other than that, I have no real objections with any of the selections other than I think Newark's Javier Colina should have edged his teammate Victor Rodriguez for Player of the Year and I don't think Jesse Hoorelbeke should have gotten a share of that award.)
C - Randy McGarvey, Camden
1B - Jesse Hoorelbeke, Bridgeport
2B - Javier Colina, Newark
3B - Jay Caligiuri, Bridgeport
SS - Ramon Castro, Newark
UTIL - P.J. Rose, Long Island, and Nate Espy, York (tie)
OF - Carl Everett, Long Island
OF - Mike Lockwood, Somerset
OF - Steven Doetsch, Road Warriors
OF - Ray Navarrete, Long Island
DH - Victor Rodriguez, Newark
RHP - Gary Knotts, Newark
LHP - Brian Adams, Somerset
CLOSER - Danny Graves, Long Island, and Derrick DePriest, Lancaster (tie)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Jeff Scott, Road Warriors
PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Brian Adams, Somerset
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Victor Rodriguez and Jesse Hoorelbeke (tie)
PARK OF THE YEAR - Commerce Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - John Brandt, Newark
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